By Hermisha Rolle, Staff reporter
A meeting between the Board of the Public Works Corporation (PWC), its staff, and the Public Service Union (PSU) this afternoon is expected to result in decisions that will solve a matter regarding 16 workers being laid off recently.
Several of the dismissed workers along with other Public Works Division’s employees stood in solidarity on the premises of the building this morning, awaiting the outcome of an initial meeting which took place between the PSU and the Corporation’s Board.
General Secretary of the PSU Thomas Letang, who spoke to the media following the morning’s meeting, said a number of issues other than the dismissal of workers were heard.
“We discussed all the issues. We even discussed not only the lay-off, but also other issues which we believe are important, and some of the issues we will settle on that…later this afternoon and the Board will tell us exactly what transpired with the minister,” Letang said.
Letang explained that the main issue to be dealt with among other matters, is the abrupt laying off of the employees, with no definite date to return to work.
“A number of them have gotten letters telling them that they are being laid off. In the letters that we showed to the workers it doesn’t tell them the duration of that lay off. We are not how…. in terms of consultation how much was done,” Letang said.
According to him, such matters should be dealt with in a more appropriate manner.
“We need some assurance that in the future that things are dealt with differently, the whole question of marketing the Corporation is also very important, because our intention, our objective as a union is to ensure that people continue to be employed,” he added.
Gratuity was another issue discussed between the parties this morning. A decision will also be met in this regard.
The PSU head said that the Minister responsible for Public Works Rayburne Blackmoore was in discussions with the Board of the Corporation on the matter. The results of this morning’s meeting was expected to be revealed at the meeting later this afternoon at the PSU building.
He reiterated, “At two o’clock we definitely will decide. We’ll take a decision as to how we proceed or what we do regarding the situation.”
I THINK THE WORKERS UNION HERE IS TO SOFT THEY SHOULD BE REPRESENTING THE PEOPLE BETTER THAN THAT
I knew it was wrong to privatise Public Works now look what happen!!!!!
The Saga Continues…..
But what has become of the 90 days my brothers and sisters. That is the next level……hehehe
It is the same Thomas Letang who is vilified and labeled as an opposition party operative for standing on behalf of workers of the land. Who lacked respect for the workers in that situation? Was it Letang or DPSU. Were Board members being paid for their services, while the poor workers went home empty handed for weeks upon weeks?
The local public works co. will be swallowed by the foreign company that have been awarded most of the contracts for road construction and other jobs that could be done by public works. Dominica is witnessing the slow dismantling of this local Corporation with years and years of operations regarding public works on the island. It is not surprising that the French company was given the license to build the asphalt plant, even though the Chief Planning Officer publicly acknowledged that the said company had acted illegally in the first place. How come the equipment for an asphalt plant was already ordered by that French Co., arrive on island, platform already prepared, but no license was yet obtained? Did the CEO get the OK from some authority to go ahead because the license would always be given? Govt deceived the poor people of Layou and sided with the ‘Gros Bourg’ with the money. Who owns the land being leased to that foreign company to install that plant? Is the owner employed with Planning Division. So you see? More Money for a few first, people’s health and well-being come after.
Soon Govt will be buying asphalt from that French Company for its road works because expect more breakdown, real or imagined, of Public Works plant again, Govt have failed to increase the capacity of Public Works to efficiently improve its operations. That French company may soon assume the role of Public Works Division. They that have the money and influence. Public works broke. A few will again make all the money. The French company will continue to be facilitated in whatever way they choose at the expense of the local entities.
Letang, my brother, you are vindicated. History will absolve you. Who cares about the workers? Certainly not those in Govt now, who grabbed 50% increase on their salaries recently, but propose to give workers, teachers 2 and 3% increase, which would be easily swallowed up due to increases in prices for food and services. But who cares about the ordinary hard-working, genuine worker of the land? It is business as usual. Thou shall eat bread not by the sweat of thy brow those days but by any devious means possible- fraud, illegal activity, dependence on handouts, crime, theft and the list goes on. Is that our slogan in the nature Isle?
Stay Tuned is for many different things….
Wanna big up all my DNO fans…
Peace out…
People are laid off everywhere and it is happening more now.
Should they just be given a job if there is no need for them?
It is employment at will, and that means they can leave at anytime.
The Gov’t also can lay them off at anytime.
Time to create your own job and no one can fire you or lay you off!
Because they are laid off, is Skerrit’s fault….
Man too many of ‘US’ depend on the Government.
There are opportunities to create our own businesses and you do not need much Capital to start.
I am not talking about opening a store/boutique….but a business with a purpose.
1. Ok … can someone educate me on why was the public works corporation created?
2. what really is the problem … is the corporation not receiving contracts to carry out public works?
3. if not, then why?
4. could it be that the corporation lacks the capicity?
lay offs suggest cost cutting measures to me
all the is talk about the next level not helping when people are being laid off
All those dat was shouting labour power look @ some of dem now unemployed…
What ever happened to “together we must” well I guess this is just the starting of “taking it to the next level” cause wen u unemployed u must rely on the red clinic to eat so there is more to come…
Together we must my…
History in the making.
At a time when the highest ever demand for asphalt/colas in Dominica
Asphalt workers are laid off….These are persons/Dominicans whom have made this a career…
Yet a French Man is given the negotiated tender contract to do the asphalt.
LOL
Next Level…?
If this is not more concrete proof that there is preferential treatment in favour of the French allegiance
what is?
Coast guard and Fisheries arrest and Charge French fishermen illegally fishing in Dominica’s waters….who instructed them to release them?
ppl wat make alu think is govt. dah running public works??? i glad for alu …just put everything on skerrit
just a question……or more appropriately an observation
I have said it before and I will say it again, we have not seen nothing yet.
Not higher and higher……….try lower and lower.
25%, 1/4 of the $22 million plus dollars that was recently spent by Labour could be used to stretch work for those fellas and their families. The money from the garbage bin and fertilizer fiasco would do them good. For all you know , maybe some, by their own free will or coerced or fooled to act against their conscience were just the other day, jumping up praising their party, agreeing that so much money should be lavishly spent for electioneering and free plane rides. Cheques and largent Ches, dry money, were bowling in every corner of Dominica. Power for the few by any means possible.
In fact, many were excited, something happening. Never taking time to listen to, discuss issues of national development – how to grow the economy, create jobs, improve people’s standard of living. It was Excitement, Money flowing, Nice time, a worshiping of arrogant,egoistic personalities
After all that, after the ordinary poor workers of the land consciously or unconsciously, with money or goodies in hand, or drowned with false promises, put the few in power, the hammer falls. Those few the poor workers put in power always get their job and plenty money, get their allowances and gifts and …………….. god knows what. Even though they mal-govern the country or work badly they do not get fired . It is not pleasant to hear ordinary workers being fired, but maybe those things have to happen for people to open their eyes and think . People learn the lessons of everyday life..
3000 lay offs in total.. they on an imf program.. did tell you all before the elections
THE NXT LEVEL THE NXT LEVEL..wat we crying for say labour power we takin DOMinica to the nxt level
take us to the next level, it coming higher and higher we going next level
I am not surprised.Next Level brother..
As skerrit said ” taking Dominica to the next level”
Welcome to the next level. More to come. You all think it was a joke.
that is the start of it all!!